NT Bullion signs Frances Creek iron ore deal with global mining giant Anglo American

THE operators of the Frances Creek mine, near Pine Creek have scored a major coup with its 300,000 tonnes of stockpiled ore, with Darwin-based NT Bullion entering into an agreement with global mining giant Anglo American to market iron ore from the mine to worldwide customers.

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THE operators of the Frances Creek mine, near Pine Creek have scored a major coup with its 300,000 tonnes of stockpiled ore.

Darwin-based NT Bullion has entered into an agreement with global mining giant Anglo American to market iron ore from the Frances Creek Mine to worldwide customers.

The marketing agreement with Anglo American secures sales for the production of Frances Creek iron ore lump and fines, which will be beneficiated from existing stock piles over the next nine months.

The first shipment is due to leave the Port of Darwin by the end of the year.

NT Bullion managing director Rod Illingworth said the agreement was a significant milestone for the Northern Territory and introduced stability and consistency in selling the iron ore to markets around the world.

The operators of the Frances Creek mine, near Pine Creek have scored a major coup with its 300,000 tonnes of stockpiled ore.

“Access to Anglo American’s technical expertise, risk management experience as well as marketing know-how brings major benefits to NT Bullion,” Mr Illingworth said.

“This agreement allows us to move forward with plans to increase mining opportunities and local investments in the economy while ensuring the sustainability for Frances Creek mine, the community and employees in the Pine Creek region and will be a significant contribution to the Northern Territory economy.

“Through NT Bullion’s mine operator, Linecrest Pty Ltd, we have seen the benefits of NT know-how to bring the Frances Creek mine back into production through hard work and perseverance, especially during these COVID-19 challenges.”

Over the past nine months a research and development project has seen new German ore sorting technology from Steinert adapted in a world’s first for iron ore on the large stock pile at the Frances Creek Mine which is 250 kilometres south of Darwin.

The technology enables stock piles of iron ore to be sorted into premium export grade lump and recycles the stock piles without any hard mining, contributing significantly to the rehabilitation of the mine.

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“This new technology in mining provides consistent quality iron ore from otherwise uneconomic stockpiles from former mining operations,” Mr Illingworth said.

“We are contributing to the NT economy while rehabilitating the Frances Creek Mine at the same time.”

The ore will be trucked 15 kilometres using the existing all-weather access road from the mine to the north-south rail line and then be railed directly into the Darwin Port.

“We have worked closely with the Department of Primary Industry and Resources and appreciate their efforts during these challenging times,” Mr Illingworth said.

“We have also worked closely with the Port of Darwin and the operators of the railway, OneRail, and the Northern Land Council to achieve this new export market.

“NT Bullion has plans to expand its operations and this cooperative approach with the private and government sectors is vital to ensure Northern Territory mines can get to markets and contribute to the growth of the local economy.”

Mr Illingworth said NT Bullion is committed to local skills and training with its Indigenous partnerships while contributing to the Pine Creek economy and continuing its close association with the Northern Land Council and local Aboriginal community.

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NT Bullion is a 30 per cent Indigenous-owned Northern Territory mining services and infrastructure company developing a gold production strategy in the Northern Territory. Through its associated entities it owns and operates the Frances Creek project which involves iron ore production and gold resources development centred within the Pine Creek Gold producing region.

Linecrest Pty Ltd is 50 per cent Indigenous owned and has the mine operating licences over the mine leases and is also 100 per cent locally owned by Northern Territory shareholders.